10 Hip Rotation Baseball Tips for Kids: #2 is Old Faithful
How to Teach Your Select Baseball Player to Open Their Hips While Swinging
If your young slugger isn’t opening their hips properly, they’re leaving power on the table. Proper hip rotation is key to generating bat speed, increasing exit velocity, and making consistent, hard contact. But many young players struggle to engage their lower half correctly.
Here’s how you can teach your select baseball player to open their hips efficiently and unlock their full power potential at the plate.
Why Hip Rotation Matters in Hitting
A baseball swing isn’t just about upper-body strength—it’s a full-body movement. Hip rotation allows hitters to:
✅ Generate maximum power through the kinetic chain
✅ Stay balanced and in control through the swing
✅ Keep their hands inside the ball and stay on plane
✅ Improve bat speed and reaction time
If your player’s hips are staying closed too long or flying open too soon, they won’t get the results they want at the plate.
10 Proven Drills & Tips to Teach Hip Rotation
1. Lower Body First, Hands Second
Many young hitters initiate their swing with their hands instead of their legs. Have them focus on driving the swing from their back hip, rather than their arms.
2. “Squash the Bug” (Then Move Past It)
This classic drill helps beginners feel hip rotation by pivoting on their back foot. But once they get the concept, move on—too much focus on this can lead to bad habits like spinning out instead of driving through the ball.
3. Heel-to-Toe Weight Transfer
Have them start with their weight on their back leg. As they stride, they should land on their front heel, then push off their back toe to drive their hips through. This prevents early rotation and keeps their swing explosive.
4. The Fence Drill
Stand them close to a fence or net and have them take dry swings. If they don’t rotate their hips properly before their hands come through, the bat will hit the fence. This forces them to clear their hips before their hands follow.
5. Resistance Band Hip Rotation Drill
Attach a resistance band around their waist and anchor it behind them. Have them simulate a swing against the resistance. This forces them to engage their hips first and feel the rotational power.
6. The Flamingo Drill
Have them lift their front leg and balance on their back leg. As they stride forward, they should focus on landing firmly and immediately driving their back hip toward the pitcher. This keeps them from “squashing the bug” too early and teaches controlled hip engagement.
7. Use Video for Instant Feedback
Record their swings in slow motion and review with them. Seeing their hips in action helps them understand what they’re doing right (or wrong) and make real-time adjustments.
8. “Belly Button to Pitcher” Cue
A simple but effective cue: after contact, their belly button should be facing the pitcher. This ensures a full hip rotation and prevents them from cutting their swing short.
9. Focus on a Balanced Finish
Players who properly rotate their hips will finish balanced and strong. If they’re falling off the plate or finishing weakly, their rotation is off.
10. Make It Fun
Drills are great, but nothing beats competition. Use home run derbies, exit velocity challenges, or long-ball competitions to encourage proper hip rotation naturally.
TL;DR: Unlock More Power with Proper Hip Rotation
Hip rotation is essential for maximizing power and bat speed. Start with lower-body focus, teach proper weight transfer, and use drills like the Fence Drill, Flamingo Drill, and resistance bands to reinforce the movement. Simple cues like “Belly Button to Pitcher” and video analysis can also help young players develop proper mechanics. And most importantly—keep it fun!
